Year

1948-07-11

Video Details

7:38; B&W; silent; FLBA004; Media 1979-10

Description

Silent, black-and-white footage from Betty Skelton Day, July 11, 1948, at Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa, Florida.
On the day named in her honor, Betty Skelton, the Women's International Aerobatic Champion, was attempting to break the international women's record for speed over a measured 3km course in a P-51 Mustang at an event promoted by Tampeño Karl B. Cuesta. The 740th U.S. Air Force Band performs, as Betty appears and waves to the camera before flying her biplane, Little Stinker in an aerobatic display. A number of other planes, including the Blue Angels' Bearcats, T-6s, Beechcraft Bonanzas, and others are shown performing aerial stunts and trick flying. Several U.S. Air Force P-80 Shooting Star jet fighters make high speed passes. A biplane tows a banner that reads "IT'S HERE - FORT PITT BEER." For the finale, Skelton attempts to set the 3km speed record, but is unsuccessful. When she lands, she is presented with a bundle of flowers as she speaks to a crowd of spectators. Produced by Tampa Home Movie. Photographed by J. Ficarrotta.

Corporate Creator

Tampa Home Movie
Ficarrotta, J.

Corporate Subject

Peter O. Knight Airport (Tampa, Fla.)
Betty Skelton Day (July 11, 1948 : Tampa, Fla.)
Little Stinker (Biplane)
City of Tampa (Airplane)
Airco Aviation Corporation (Tampa, Fla.)
United States. Air Force Band, 740th
United States. Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron

Geographic Subject

Tampa
Hillsborough County

Coverage

Postwar Florida (1945-1968)

Personal Subject

Erde, Betty Skelton Frankman, 1926-2011
Cuesta, Karl B. (Karl Bernardo), 1893-1971

Subject

Flight
Airplanes
Aviation
Air pilots
Stunt flying
Women air pilots
Air shows
T-6 (Training planes)
Mustang (Fighter planes)
Bonanza (Private planes)
Bearcat (Fighter planes)